MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

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Diagnosis of infectious hematopoietic necrosis in rainbow trout hatcheries, Iran

Mehdi Raissy*, Hasan Momtaz, Mahsa Ansari and Manouchehr Moumeni

Abstract: Distribution of infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) was studied in rainbow trout fish farms in Chaharmahal and Bakhtyari Province which is a major trout culture region in Iran. Overall 150 suspected rainbow trout fry with less than 3 g body weight from 30 fish farms in Chaharmahal and Bakhtyari Province, Iran, were studied and fishes of 10 hatcheries (33.3% of all studied farms) found to be infected with IHNV. Reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to the detection of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) using primer pairs. The product of 371 bp was amplified from the RNA extracts of infected organs of suspected fish. DNA sequencing of the PCR products demonstrated specificity of the amplification. The RT-PCR was found to be a simple, highly specific and sensitive method allowing diagnosis of IHN in a short time.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), IHN, rainbow trout.

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Production, purification and characterisation of extracellular L-asparaginase from a soil isolate of Bacillus sp.

Vidhya Moorthy, Aishwarya Ramalingam, Alagarsamy Sumantha* and Rajesh Tippapur Shankaranaya

Abstract: L-asparaginase is an anti-neoplastic agent used in lymphoblastic leukaemia chemotherapy. Soil microbial isolates were screened for potential producers of L-asparaginase using a phenol red indicator growth medium and the microbe producing the largest hydrolysis zone was selected. The isolate was characterised by biochemical tests and was found to belong to Bacillus sp. The enzyme production was carried out by submerged fermentation. Two different carbon sources, glucose and maltose were used for the enzyme production and glucose was found to be the better carbon source. The enzyme was partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation. Dialysis was carried out to remove the excess salt and complete purification was achieved by ion -exchange chromatography. The characterised enzyme exhibited maximal enzyme activity at pH 7 and temperature 37°C. The enzyme was activated by MgCl2 and inhibited by EDTA. Protein profiling by SDS-PAGE revealed the molecular weight of the protein to be 45 kDa.[...] Read More.

Keywords: L-asparaginase, Bacillus, submerged fermentation, enzyme, purification.

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Avian flu (H5N1): threat of 'global pandemic' is growing and itâ€™s impact on the developing countriesâ€™ economy

Commentary

Abstract: When something appears to be public health issues, there is a razor-thin line between appropriate caution and over compensatory alarm. Such is the case with avian influenza, more commonly known as avain flu (H5N1). Since the potential threat of global pandemic of avain flu (H5N1) is growing and the developing countries’ economy is affected to a small extent, now it is the high time to formulate effective and essential measures which include heightened influenza surveillance, early detection and appropriate pandemic preparedness plans. The appropriate use of vaccines, antiviral drugs and public health interventions will greatly reduce their economic impact in the developing countries.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Avian flu (H5N1), global pandemic, developing countries.

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Lipid profile of a population of diabetic patients attending Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Clinic, Abuja

Ugwu, C. E*. , Ezeanyika, L. U. S., Daikwo, M. A. and Amana, R.

Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2017

Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr

Full Length Research Paper

Lipid profile of a population of diabetic patients attending Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Clinic, Abuja

Ugwu, C. E¹*. , Ezeanyika, L. U. S.², Daikwo, M. A.¹ and Amana, R.¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Accepted 20 January, 2017

Abstr

This study was conducted to compare the lipid profile of diabetic patients and healthy controls. The lipid profiles and lipoprotein levels of 50 known diabetic patients and 50 healthy subjects were studied. Total cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerols (TG), Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were assayed for each group using standard biochemical methods. The mean TC, TG, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in the diabetics than in the control subjects though these were not significant (P > 0.05). The frequency of high TC level was higher in the diabetic group while the frequency of low HDL -C level was higher in the healthy controls. The prevalence of high TG and LDL-C were approximately equal in the two groups. The mean (±SD) HDL- C was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in males compared to the females for both diabetic and control groups. The better lipid profiles in the diabetic patients compared to the controls were apparently due to the regime of management of their condition.

Key words: Diabetes, lipid profile, Nigerians.

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Degradation of pyrimidine ribonucleosides by extracts of Aspergillus terreus

Osama M. Abdel-Fatah*, Maysa A. Elsayed and Ali M. Elshafei

Abstract: Cell-free extracts of nitrate- grown mycelia of Aspergillus terreus could catalyze the hydrolytic deami-nation of cytidine to uridine and ammonia followed by the hydrolytic cleavage of the N-glycosidic bond of the produced uridine to the corresponding base (uracil) and ribose. The same extracts could not catalyze the hydrolytic deamination of cytosine. Addition of inorganic arsenate to the reaction mixture containing cytidine or uridine did not affect the amount of ribose liberated indicating the absence of pyrimidine ribonucleosides phosphorylase in the extracts. Cytidine deaminase showed an optimum activity at pH 7.0 and 60°C and stability to high degrees of temperature. Uridine hydrolase activity was optimized at pH 8.0 and 55°C. Incubation of the extracts at 55°C for 60 min showed no effect on uridine hydrolase activity whereas incubation of the extracts at 60 and 70°C for different interval times caused a gradual decrease in activity and the enzyme lost its activity completely by incubation at 80°C for 15 min. Dialyzing the extracts showed no effect on cytidine deaminase activity and a decrease in uridine hydrolase activity. Addition of EDTA at a concentration of 5 x 10-3 M and 10-2 M caused an inhibition to the two enzymes activities. The presence of MgSO4 in the reaction mixture seems to activate greatly both enzymatic cytidine deamination (225 and 128% increases) and uridine hydrolysis (22 and 77% increases) at final concentrations of 5 x 10-3 M and 10-2 M respectively. However HgCl2 and CuSO4 were found to be potent inhibitors for both activities at the two concentrations.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Pyrimidine ribonucleosides, cytidine, uridine, cytidine deaminase, uridine hydrolase, Aspergillus terreus.

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Isolation and preliminary characterization of conophor nut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) lipase

Victor N. Enujiugha

Abstract: Lipase in oilseeds helps to hydrolyze the ester bonds of storage triacylglycerols. The crude lipase from the conophor nut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) was isolated and assayed via quantification of the free fatty acids liberated by the hydrolysis of the oilseed triacylglycerols. Optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme activity of the conophor nut lipase was pH 8.0 and at 30°C with substantial lipolysis at 80°C, underscoring the thermostability of the enzyme. The effects of different ions on the activity of the isolated lipase were examined. NaCl and EDTA inhibited activity by various degrees, while Ca2+ and Hg+ enhanced the enzyme activity. The results of the present study show that the lipase from conophor nut can favourably be exploited to complement existing lipase sources.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Conophor nut, lipase activity, temperature, pH.

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Efficacy of Dissotis rotundifolia on Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rats

Abdullahi Mann*, Evans C. Egwim, Barnabas Banji, Nda-Umar Abdukadir, Mohammed Gbate, J. T. Ekanem

Abstract: The therapeutic potential of the crude extract of Dissotis rotundifolia was investigated in rats infected with Trypanosoma b. brucei. Animals were treated orally or intraperitoneally at 200, 600 and 800 mg/kg body weight. At 800 mg/kg, parasitemia was reduced by 66.7 and 78.4% after oral and intraperitoneal administration respectively. In vitro exposure of blood forms to high concentration (800 mg/kg) crude extract test resulted in complete paralysis or killing within 45 s of exposure. It is concluded that D. rotundifolia may contain antitrypanosomal constituents.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Efficacy, trypanosoma, parasitemia, Dissotis rotundifolia, antitrypanosomal activity.

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A study on the combined administration of chloroquine and insulin effect on serum transferases and phosphatases activity during increased dietary fat and calcium consumption

Ajani E. O.*, Salau B. A., Ezima E. N. , Oyefuga O. H. and Osineye P. O

Abstract: Previous studies reported on relationship between chloroquine administration, insulin and glucose homeostasis, but the role of dietary fat and the combined effect of the drugs on liver function have not been exploited. The present study was set up to investigate the effect of combined administration of insulin and chloroquine on serum transferase and phosphates activity during increased dietary fat and calcium consumption. Thirty (30) adult male albino rats randomly assigned into five (5) groups were used in the study. Group A was placed on normal diet (normal control); B (test control) C, D, and E were placed on an increased dietary fat and calcium. Drugs were administered as follows: group C, insulin (100 µg/kg body weight once daily); group D, chloroquine (Imarsel Chemical Co. Ltd., Chinon, Hungary, 15 mg/kg body weight) thrice weekly over a period of 12 weeks, and group E, chloroquine combined with insulin. All rats were sacrificed after 15 weeks treatment period. Blood was withdrawn and activities of the enzymes were determined. Combined administration of the drugs increased serum alanine amino transferase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphate activity and decreased acid phosphatase activity. The result suggests that combined administration of insulin and chloroquine may result in hepatic injury particularly in individual whose dietary regimen includes increased fat and calcium.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Chloroquine, insulin, liver function, transaminases, phosphatases, dietary calcium, fat.

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Toxicological effects of chlorpyrifos and methidathion in young chickens

Ojezele, Matthew Obaineh* and Abatan, Oluwole Matthew

Abstract: The objective of this work is assessment of the toxicological effects of the organophosphorus compounds (methidathion and chlorpyrifos) and the usefulness of some parameters as bioindicators. Haematology and serum biochemistry were assayed in 15 cockrels at random age of 4 - 6 weeks. The birds were randomly assigned to 3 oral (by mouth) pulse-dose treatments of 0, 3.5 mg/kg chlorpyrifos, and 7.5 mg/kg methidathion, respectively. Haematology and serum biochemistry were used as indices of toxicosis. Significantly (P < 0.05) reduced WBC, Neutrophils and Lymphocyte counts were observed in the groups of birds dosed with chlorpyrifos and methidathion. PCV, Hb, and RBC were significantly decreased by methidathion while chlorpyrifos caused a significant increase in these parameters. Results obtained in this study also showed that methidathion and chlorpyrifos caused significant decrease in the levels of ALP, ALT, TP, and ALB. While methidathion caused a significant decrease in the level of AST reverse is the case for chlorpyrifos with respect to AST. It was also observed that both organophosphates had no significant effect on the level of BIL. The study thus showed that the evaluated parameters can serve as useful bioindicators of the sub lethal exposure to organo-phosphorus compounds.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Biochemistry, chlorpyrifos, methidathion, bioindicators, cockrels, haematology.

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Selected heavy metals and electrolyte levels in blood of workers and residents of industrial communities

Babalola O. O* and Babajide S. O

Abstract: The study focused on the determination of the levels of lead, cadmium, sodium and potassium in the blood of selected industrial workers (n = 36), residents of the neighboring communities (n = 36) as well as the residents of the communities further away from any industrial setting (which controls) (n = 12). The subjects were recruited from the granite served as the, ceramic and cement industries at Ewekoro, Abeokuta North and South Local government areas of Ogun state, Nigeria. The blood lead (BPb) and cadmium (BCd) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while blood sodium (BNa+) and potassium (BK+) were determined by flame photometry. The weight and height of all respondents were measured in addition to other information obtained through a structured questionnaire and their body mass indices computed. The mean BCd, BNa+ and BK+ for controls and the test subjects were not significantly different from each other. Significant difference was only observed in the level of BPb between the test and the control. This was also observed when comparing the mean of all the measurements in the blood of residents of the neighboring communities with that of the control subjects. These results revealed that workers and the residents of the neighboring communities are at the risk of lead poisoning to which they were exposed.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Industrial communities, heavy metals level, electrolyte levels.

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